Ships
The Vikings were very skilled when it came to boats. From their monstrous wooden longships, with both sails and oars, made it possible for them to host pirate-like raids on coastal monasteries and villages of the British Isles, western Europe and more. The shallow draught of ships like these meant that they were able to reach far inland by either river or stream, attacking and moving on before local authorities could attempt to fight back. Well preserved remains of Viking ships, as those found in places such as Oseberg and Gokstad in Norway and Skuldelev in Denmark, shows that they were 'clinker-built' of overlapped planks and were between about 17.5m and 36m. They were not steered by a rudder, but by a single oar mounted on the starboard side. A few late examples are said to have had iron-clad bows and sterns. An average speed of 10 to 11 knots could have been achieved, or perhaps rather more in short bursts. Crews of 25 to 60 men would have been common, seated on benches on open decks, although the largest ships could have carried as many as 100 or more. Packhorses and provisions would also be included if needed. |
Battles
Before the 11th century the Vikings fought wars mostly on foot. They fought with small horses and they had no proper cavalry. Some sources do say there were horses sometimes being used by leaders in battle, but more usually they served for transport to and from the battlefield.
Types of warfare ranged from small family feuds or raids by gangs to full-scale pitched battles. At the battle of Stiklestad in Norway, St. Olaf and his army of around 3,600 soldiers were destroyed by a much larger force in 1030, and at Ashingdon, in Essex, the Danish king Cnut attacked King Edmunds Army in the year 1016. The largest were said to have have consisted of 4,000 to 7,000 men. But they would generally have went elsewhere after a campaign in the military and either return to their lives as farmers, merchants or craftsmen, or join up with other bands of war. |
weapons
In late Viking period, all men were expected to own a weapon of some sort, which were usually made by Magnates (like a blacksmith).
The main weapons used were: - Spears - Swords - Battle Axes - Bows and Arrows Weapons were carried around for both battle and symbols of their owners' status and wealth. Because weapons were also used to show wealth/status they were often decorated with Bronze, Silver and Gold decoration and twisted wire. The spear was the most common weapon with an iron blade and wooden shaft and between 2 and 3 metres long and used for both throwing and thrusting into the enemy. Skilled spearsmen are said to have been able to throw 2 spears with both hands at the same time, or even to catch an enemy spear in mid-air and throw it back with deadly effect. |
armour
For defence in battle, circular shields up to one metre across were carried. They were made of wooden boards and a central hole for an iron hand grip and a leather cover. Another item mentioned in the Viking sagas were byrnies, long tunic like body armour made of chainmail that went below the waist. The chainmail was made by interlocking rings with overlapping ends which were made by twisting an iron wire around a rod and then snipping it along the end of the rod. Byrnies took many hours to make and were very expensive to produce, therefore, they were mainly worn by leaders. It was also almost essential to were thick padding underneath to absorb the impact of incoming arrows and sword strikes etc with reindeer hide which could be sometimes even more effective than mail.
Like byrnies, helmets were also worn by leaders. And, no, horned helmets are just a myth! Actual Viking helmets took a lot of effort, time and skill to make. Most 10th century Viking helmets consisted of visor, a four sectioned iron dome, a spike on the top and a chainmail neck guard.
Like byrnies, helmets were also worn by leaders. And, no, horned helmets are just a myth! Actual Viking helmets took a lot of effort, time and skill to make. Most 10th century Viking helmets consisted of visor, a four sectioned iron dome, a spike on the top and a chainmail neck guard.
the berserkers
Berserkers were Norse warriors who were believed to have fought in uncontrollable and almost trance-like fury. This brings us the english word that we have today, Berserk, meaning violently or destructively frenzied; wild; crazed; deranged.
The berserkers were the most famous and terrifying Viking fighters. It is said that they belonged to the cult of Odin and were known to shape shift or take the qualities of bears and wolves. They also worked themselves into such a rage or frenzy that they could keep fighting even if they were shot by arrows or hit by swords or spears. Their rage was probably caused by hallucinogenic mushrooms or large amounts of alcohol. I think this relates to Isis nowadays but instead of eating mushrooms/alcohol to spark anger they use extremism and terrorism. |